Birmingham’s Alison Hammond praises a new apprenticeship scheme for young talent, highlighting its importance in the creative industry.
Birmingham: Alison Hammond, the beloved TV star, is all about supporting young talent. She recently backed a scheme that gives apprentices a chance to shine in the theatre world. Two young apprentices, Laura and Tegan, are working with her in the panto, and Alison is impressed. She didn’t even realize they were apprentices because they’re doing such a great job!
These two are on an 18-month apprenticeship after completing a bootcamp at Solihull College. The bootcamp, funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority, helps young folks gain skills for creative careers. It’s a fantastic opportunity for them to learn from the best in the business.
Alison, along with her co-star Matt Slack, believes it’s crucial to help young people break into the industry. She said, “It’s an incredible scheme. It’s free, and they get hands-on experience.” She remembers how lucky she was to have similar opportunities when she was younger.
She shared her own experience with the Central Television workshop, where she learned acting techniques. “You’ve got to help people up the ladder,” she said. You never know who might be the next big star!
Matt Slack echoed her sentiments, saying these apprentices are in a prime spot at a top venue. “They could be the next superstar or producer,” he added. It’s all about giving them the right experiences.
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker also chimed in, emphasizing the importance of these bootcamps. He’s committed to helping young people find well-paying jobs. “They’re doing fantastically well and learning lots,” he said. It’s all about teamwork in productions like this, and everyone plays a vital role.
